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Fig. 2 | Plant Methods

Fig. 2

From: A toolkit to rapidly modify root systems through single plant selection

Fig. 2

a An overview of the non-destructive single plant selection (SPS) approach to create elite varieties with ‘designer’ roots, which includes integration of marker-assisted selection (KASP) for the root biomass QTL on chromosome 5B and backcrossing under speed breeding. SPS involves six key steps: 1 seminal root angle screening and selection of single plants using the clear pot method [10], 2 a semi-hydroponic assay where the plants are transplanted into sand as detailed in [44], 3 plants are genotyped using KASP markers associated with major QTL, 4 roots are washed and scored using the 1–6 scale, and plants with high and low root biomass are selected using a combination of visual scores and KASP marker data, 5 Selected plants are then transplanted into potting mix and grown under speed breeding conditions, and 6 plants are backcrossed or selfed for line development. b The four root system configurations which could be assembled by targeting seminal root angle and root biomass traits: 1 wide angle-high root biomass, 2 wide angle-low root biomass, 3 narrow angle-high root biomass, and 4 narrow angle-low root biomass

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